Worcester

Worcester's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in marriage, housing tenure and religion.

The population reached nearly 99,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Worcester increased by 5.8%, from almost 93,400 to 98,800.

The addition of about 5,400 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Worcester was home to, on average, 21 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Worcester

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Worcester increased by one year, from 36 to 37 years.

This urban area had a lower average age than the West Midlands and remained slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of almost 2,600 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 2,000.

About 15% of people in Worcester are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Worcester by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

This area saw the West Midlands' largest fall in the proportion of married people.

Across the region, Cannock Chase saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of married people (from 56% in 2001 to 50% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 52% to 48%.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (45%) people aged 16 and over in Worcester said they were married, compared with 51% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 30% to 37%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Worcester that rented privately increased from 9.2% to 18% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 15%, while the percentage of Worcester households that owner their home decreased from 73% to 64%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 7.3% in 2001 to 14% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Worcester increased by 9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Worcester, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single parents

This area saw the West Midlands' third-largest rise in the proportion of single-parent households.

Across the region, only Wolverhampton (from 12% to 14%) and Coventry (from 12% to 14%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of single-parent households.

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of single-parent households, as the regional average grew from 10% to 11%.

In 2011, just over 1 in 10 (10%) households in Worcester had a single parent, compared with 8.4% in 2001. The percentage with a married couple decreased from 38% to 33%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that that had a single parent across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Worcester

The number of people in Worcester that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 13,000 in 2001 to just over 25,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 14% to 26% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the West Midlands (from 12% to 22%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Worcester that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 72,000 in 2001 to just under 63,000 in 2011 (from 77% to 64%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from about 6,700 to about 6,500 (from 7.2% to 6.6%).

Just over 2,800 people (1.8%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 1,700 in 2001 (2.9%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Worcester increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Worcester by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

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